Heading into the bye, Collingwood’s VFL Coach Craig Black reflects on the season so far.

Six rounds in with five wins and one loss, the team have had a solid start to the year.

“It’s a great start to the season," Black said.

“With a young group, we are pretty excited with how we are starting, being 5-1 after six games”.

On the 104-point win

“It doesn’t happen too often so we enjoy it when it does," Black said.

“We were just proud of the boys, they worked really hard to get our systems right and play the style of footy that we hope for and it worked pretty well on that day.

“Our players played their role and got to stand out in their role”.

On the gutsy win over Northern Bullants

In round four, the Pies were too strong the Bullants after a huge second half.

“The Bullants are really tough out there on their home deck. We knew what they were going to bring and really challenged us around the contested footy," Black said.

During the game, Jordan Roughead was back into the side but with limited game time and Aiden Begg and Ash Johnson both came down with injury.

“It really tested our resilience in the young boys, but we stuck to the plan and we were lucky to come home with the win," Black said.

The three draftees from SA; Cooper Murley, Arlo Draper, Harvey Harrison

“They all have different strengths. Coops has played forward and through the midfield. He is hard running with the ball, kicks the ball well; he is in really good form," Black said.

“Harrison is still a young developing player, we’ve played him on the half forward wing, he’s got good pace and he has been really exciting with ball in hand.

“Arlo started on the wing and then we’ve rolled him across half back.

“As you can see with all three of them, we’re challenging them in all different positions as well. When we want to get them in the AFL, we want to have them to be able to play various roles when the opportunity present, but we’re really happy with how they’re going at the moment."

The forwards Ollie Henry and Trent Bianco

After coming in and out of the side from the AFL, Black is proud of the efforts and attitudes of the pair.

“Credit goes to those boys and our AFL coaching staff and our development coaches as well to be able to put the right stuff around them when they have come back from AFL footy and come back and play and showcase their talent within their role," Black said.

“Their attitudes have been nothing but first class when they come back.

“Trenna came back the other week and kicked 5 goals. It’s all just playing his role through the team. Ollie Henry on the weekend kicked 7 goals so it is a pretty good result.

“We keep encouraging those boys to come back and show their talents throughout their role and system through the Collingwood Football Club.”

On the young guns

AFL listed trio Finlay Macrae, Caleb Poulter and Liam McMahon have all been consistent performers this season in the VFL and will keep aiming for a spot in the AFL side.

“They’ve all missed a lot of footy over the last couple of years, so it’s really just about applying their craft and trying to get better every week”, Black said.

“We have that mantra around the football club; every time its training or a game, we just want to come and get better everyday.

“We have definitely seen that with Fin [Macrae]. We have given him different techniques and he is going out and implementing them in games.

“Liam [McMahon] has had a role change. He got drafted as a forward and the last few weeks we have thrown him down back. He is developing his craft and improving every week.

“Caleb is playing some really solid footy. His attitude has been unbelievable, where this time last year he was playing AFL. He is playing some really consistent footy in the VFL and we are really confident that when he gets his opportunity, he will be able to come and fill his role at AFL without any hesitation."

On Neville Jetta’s role

“He is a fantastic character, wonderful person and his footy speaks for himself," Black said.

“He is showing with these young players his leadership out on the ground. He is definitely helping fast track these players and we couldn’t have asked for anything more as a coaching group”.

Looking ahead into the season

Putting the same game plan and systems as the AFL program has been important in the success so far at VFL level.

“It’s a new game plan for everyone, and it’s the ability for our young players and even our older players to show leadership to try and play the style of footy that we want," Black said.

“That’s what we ask for of these young men; to keep improving and show leadership and it’s going well. We just have to keep trying to work on it every time we play.

“We just want to get better every week. Working hard on our systems to make sure we are playing a really good style of footy and trying to do what the AFL team are doing so when these young players get an opportunity, they can go in and fit straight in the AFL role."

Collingwood have a bye this round and will take on the Western Bulldogs in round eight.